Visualising & analysing the evolution
of social networks

Science Week Public Lecture Series

Clement Lee

2021-04-14 (Wed)

Networks

How do social networks evolve?

Mathematical modelling

Preferential attachment model

A simple example

Node Degree
A 1
B 3
C 2
D 3
E 1
Total 10

A simple example

Node Degree
A 1
B 3
C 2
D 3
E 1
Total 10

Adding the edges

Node Degree
A 1
–B– –3–
C 2
D 3
E 1
Total 7

Adding the edges

Node Degree
A 1
–B– –3–
C 2
D 3
E 1
Total 7

The process can keep going

Node Degree
A 1
B 4
C 3
D 3
E 1
F 2
Total 14

Growing a big(ger) network

Distribution of the degree

On logarithmic scale

Bigger networks, more simulations

The power law

Takeaway

Thank you for listening!